MOONTON Games have once again emphasized that the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Esports ecosystem has not been built solely by professional players and teams. In partnership with realme, they have officially launched two new initiatives that have focused on the role of media in the esports industry: the second edition of the MLBB Media Championship (MMC) and the inaugural M7 Awards for Best Media, both of which have been held alongside the M7 World Championship.

The M7 World Championship itself has been positioned as the largest M Series in history. The tournament has taken place from January 3 to January 25, marking the return of the M Series to Indonesia for the first time since M4. Indonesia has been selected for a clear reason, as MPL Indonesia has consistently recorded more than 100 million Hours Watched across the past five seasons, solidifying its status as the world’s largest MLBB community hub.

According to data from Esports Charts, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has been recorded as the most popular mobile esports title throughout 2024, accumulating over 475 million Hours Watched. This milestone has been driven in part by the success of the M6 World Championship, which has set a new record as the most-watched M Series edition with more than 85 million Hours Watched.

Media at the Center of the M7 World Championship

Carrying the #LetTheWorldSeeUs campaign, the MLBB Media Championship has been designed to provide media representatives with first-hand experience of the competitive atmosphere of MLBB Esports. Through this programme, media have not only observed the action but have also become an active part of the ecosystem surrounding MLBB’s biggest tournament.

Adrian Cher, Global Head of Partnerships for MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games, has stated that esports has never been just about the matches themselves. Behind the scenes, technology, production, and storytelling have been interconnected to deliver the full experience. Through the MMC, media have been given the opportunity to directly witness how technology has powered gameplay and how major esports narratives have been built for a global audience.

Support from realme as the main partner has also played a crucial role in the MMC. Daogen Qin, Head of Gaming Business Line at realme, has explained that realme has aimed to demonstrate how mobile technology can elevate the esports experience to a higher level. With the realme 15 Pro having been named the M7 Official Gaming Phone, media have been able to explore the technical side of MLBB competition in greater depth.

Media Competing, Not Just Covering

Unlike conventional media day concepts, the MLBB Media Championship has brought together up to eight onsite media teams, who have competed head-to-head from the Elimination Round through to the Grand Finals during the M7 Knockout Stage.

The champions of the MMC have taken home five realme smartphones along with the largest share of the 270,000 Diamonds prize pool. For reference, the inaugural MMC was previously held during the M6 World Championship and was won by Malaysia-based outlet WTM Today.

M7 Awards for Best Media, Recognising MLBB Storytellers

In addition to the MMC, MOONTON Games and realme have also introduced the M7 Awards for Best Media, an awards programme that has been dedicated to recognising journalists, writers, and content creators who have played a significant role in shaping the narrative of MLBB Esports.

The awards have featured three main categories. The Trendspotter Award by realme has been aimed at media outlets that have captured the most relevant and timely trends surrounding M7 and the MLBB community. The Best in Esports Business Journalism Award by realme has been presented to works that have explored the business side of MLBB, including partnerships, ecosystem development, and brand innovation. Meanwhile, the Outstanding Feature Award by realme has recognised long-form and feature coverage that has demonstrated consistency, quality, and impact throughout the M7 season.

Adrian Cher has once again reiterated that the esports industry has not grown in isolation. Instead, it has evolved through the stories told by the media. Through the M7 Awards for Best Media, MOONTON Games have aimed to provide recognition and a platform for those who have served as the bridge between competition, community, and the future of MLBB Esports.

The winners have received a certificate of recognition, 50,000 Diamonds, and a brand-new realme smartphone, equipping them with tools to further enhance the quality of their MLBB Esports coverage.

M7, Media, and the Future of MLBB Esports

The collaboration between MOONTON Games and realme at the M7 World Championship has illustrated that MLBB Esports has entered a more mature ecosystem phase. The focus has no longer been placed solely on competition, but also on technology, media, and storytelling as key pillars of long-term growth.

With the presence of the MMC and the M7 Awards for Best Media, the M7 World Championship has not only served as a battleground for the world title, but has also stood as a celebration of the media’s role in bringing MLBB Esports stories to the global stage.

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